Cutting elements having cutting edges with continuous varying radii and bits incorporating the same

ABSTRACT

A cutting element is provided having a substrate and an ultra hard material cutting layer over the substrate. The cutting layer includes a surface portion for making contact with a material to be cut by the cutting element. The surface portion in cross-section has a curvature that has a varying radius of curvature. A bit incorporating such a cutting element is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/638,934, filed Dec. 13, 2006, which is based upon and claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/750,457 filed on Dec. 14, 2005,the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cutting elements such as those used in earthboring bits for drilling earth formations. More specifically, thisinvention relates to cutting elements incorporating a cutting surfacehaving a cutting edge having a continuous varying radius.

A cutting element 1 (FIG. 1), such as shear cutter mounted on an earthboring bit typically has a cylindrical cemented carbide body 10, i.e. asubstrate, having an end face 12 (also referred to herein as an“interface surface”). An ultra hard material layer 18, such aspolycrystalline diamond (PCD), polycrystalline cubic boron nitride(PCBN) or a thermally stable polycrystalline (TSP) material is bonded onthe interface surface forming a cutting layer. The cutting layer canhave a flat, curved or non-uniform interface surface 12. Cuttingelements are mounted in pockets 2 of an earth boring bit, such a dragbit 7, at an angle 8, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and contact the earthformation 11 during drilling along edge 9 over cutting layer 18.

Generally speaking, the process for making a cutting element employs asubstrate of cemented tungsten carbide where the tungsten carbideparticles are cemented together with cobalt. The carbide body is placedadjacent to a layer of ultra hard material particles such as diamond orcubic boron nitride (CBN) particles along with a binder, such as cobalt,within a refractory metal enclosure (commonly referred to as a “can”),as for example a niobium can, and the combination is subjected to a hightemperature at a high pressure where diamond or CBN is thermodynamicallystable. This is known as a sintering process. The sintering processresults in the re-crystallization and formation of a PCD or PCBN ultrahard material layer on the cemented tungsten carbide substrate, i.e., itresults in the formation of a cutting element having a cemented tungstencarbide substrate and an ultra hard material cutting layer. The ultrahard material layer may include tungsten carbide particles and/or smallamounts of cobalt. Cobalt promotes the formation of PCD or PCBN. Cobaltmay also infiltrate the diamond or CBN from the cemented tungstencarbide substrate.

A TSP is typically formed by “leaching” the cobalt from the diamondlattice structure of PCD. When formed, PCD comprises individual diamondcrystals that are interconnected defining a lattice structure. Cobaltparticles are often found within the interstitial spaces in the diamondlattice structure. Cobalt has a significantly different coefficient ofthermal expansion as compared to diamond, and as such upon heating ofthe PCD, the cobalt expands, causing cracking to form in the latticestructure, resulting in the deterioration of the PCD layer. By removing,i.e., by leaching, the cobalt from the diamond lattice structure, thePCD layer becomes more heat resistant, i.e., more thermally stable.However, the polycrystalline diamond layer becomes more brittle.Accordingly, in certain cases, only a select portion, measured either indepth or width, of the PCD layer is leached in order to gain thermalstability without losing impact resistance. A TSP material may also beformed by forming PCD with a thermally compatible silicon carbide binderinstead of cobalt.

The cemented tungsten carbide substrate is typically formed by placingtungsten carbide powder and a binder in a mold and then heating thebinder to melting temperature causing the binder to melt and infiltratethe tungsten carbide particles fusing them together and cementing thesubstrate. Alternatively, the tungsten carbide powder may be cemented bythe binder during the high temperature, high pressure sintering processused to re-crystallize the ultra hard material layer. In such case, thesubstrate material powder along with the binder are placed in therefractory metal enclosure. Ultra hard material particles are providedover the substrate material to form the ultra hard materialpolycrystalline layer. The entire assembly is then subjected to a hightemperature, high pressure process forming the cutting element having asubstrate and a polycrystalline ultra hard material layer over it.

In many instances the cutting edge of the cutting layer, which contactsthe earth formation during drilling, such as edge 9, has sharp edges.These sharp edges may be defined by the intersection of the upper andcircumferential surfaces defining the cutting layer or by chamfersformed on the cutting edge. These sharp edges create stressconcentrations which may cause cracking and chipping of the cuttinglayer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment, a cutting element is provided having asubstrate and an ultra hard material cutting layer over the substrate.The cutting layer includes a surface portion for making contact with amaterial to be cut by the cutting element. The surface portion incross-section has a curvature that has a varying radius of curvature. Inother words, the surface portion in cross-section has a continuouscurvature that is formed by a plurality of sections, each section havinga different radius of curvature than its adjacent section. In anotherexemplary embodiment, a cutting element is provided having a substrateand an ultra hard material cutting layer over the substrate. The cuttinglayer includes a surface portion for making contact with a material tobe cut by the cutting element. The surface portion in cross-section hasa varying curvature that is formed by a plurality of adjacent non-flatsections, each section having a different radius of curvature than itsadjacent section. In a further exemplary embodiment, the surface portionin cross-section includes at least two sections. In another exemplaryembodiment, all sections curve in the same direction in cross-section.In yet another exemplary embodiment, one section curves in a firstdirection and another section curves in a second direction opposite thefirst direction. In yet a further exemplary embodiment, the surfaceportion in cross-section defines a chamfer. The chamfer may be formedfrom a plurality of the surface sections. In another exemplaryembodiment, the surface portion in cross-section defines a two chamfers.Each of the two chamfers may be formed from a plurality of the surfacesections. In one exemplary embodiment, the surface portion extends froma peripheral surface of the cutting layer. In another exemplaryembodiment, the surface portion in cross-section includes at least threesections.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the surface portion includes incross-section a first section adjacent to a second section which isadjacent a third section. With this exemplary embodiment, the firstsection has a first radius of curvature, the second section has a secondradius of curvature, the third section has a third radius of curvature,such that the second radius of curvature is greater than the firstradius of curvature, and the third radius of curvature is greater thanthe first radius of curvature. In another exemplary embodiment, thesurface portion includes in cross-section a first section, a firsttransitional section extending from and adjacent to the first section, asecond section extending from and adjacent to the first transitionalsection, a second transitional section extending from and adjacent tothe second section, and a third section extending from and adjacent tothe second transitional section. With this exemplary embodiment, thefirst section has a first radius of curvature, the second section has asecond radius of curvature, the third section has a third radius ofcurvature, such that the second radius of curvature is greater than thefirst radius of curvature, and the third radius of curvature is greaterthan the first radius of curvature. In yet another exemplary embodiment,the cutting layer includes a first surface interfacing with thesubstrate and a second surface opposite the first surface. With thisexemplary embodiment, the first section extends from the second surface.In yet a further exemplary embodiment, the cutting layer includes afirst surface interfacing with the substrate, a second surface oppositethe first surface, and a peripheral surface between the first and secondsurfaces. With this exemplary embodiment, the third section extends fromthe peripheral surface.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the surface portion incross-section includes at least 35 sections. In yet a further exemplaryembodiment, the cutting layer includes a plurality of spaced apartsurface portions, each surface portion in cross-section having acontinuous curvature that is formed by a plurality of non-flat sections,and each section of each surface portion has a different radius ofcurvature than its adjacent section.

In another exemplary embodiment, a cutting element is provided having asubstrate and an ultra hard material cutting layer over the substrate.The cutting layer has a surface portion for making contact with amaterial to be cut by the cutting element. The surface portion incross-section has a first chamfer formed by a plurality of firstsections where each first section has a different radius of curvaturethan its adjacent first section. In another exemplary embodiment, thesurface portion for making contact further includes in cross-section asecond chamfer extending relative to the first chamfer. In an exemplaryembodiment, the second chamfer in cross-section is formed by a pluralityof second sections, each second section having a different radius ofcurvature that its adjacent second section. In yet another exemplaryembodiment, the surface portion for making contact further includes incross-section a curved section adjacent to and between the two chamfers.In a further exemplary embodiment, the surface portion for makingcontact further includes in cross-section a third chamfer extendingrelative to the second chamfer. The third chamfer is formed by aplurality of third sections and each third section has a differentradius of curvature that its adjacent third section. In yet a furtherexemplary embodiment, all of the first sections are not flat. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the cutting layer includes a plurality of spacedapart surface portions, each surface portion in cross-section having afirst chamfer formed by a plurality of first sections, each firstsection having a different radius of curvature than its adjacent firstsection.

In yet a further exemplary embodiment a bit is provided having a bodyand any of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment cutting elementmounted on such body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cutting element mounted ona bit as viewed along arrows 1-1 shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bit incorporating cutting elementssuch as a cutting element shown in FIG. 1 or cutting elements of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 14 are partial cross-sectional views of exemplaryembodiment cutting elements having cutting edges having continuousvarying radii.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment cuttingelement having a cutting edge having a continuous varying radii.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of two cutting layerssuperimposed over each other with one cutting layer having a straightchamfered edge and another cutting layer having an exemplary embodimentvarying radius chamfered edge of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of two cutting layerssuperimposed over each other with one cutting layer having a constantradius cross-section and another cutting layer being an exemplaryembodiment cutting layer having a varying radius cutting surface.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of two cutting layerssuperimposed over each other with one cutting layer having a straightchamfer and a constant radius section and the other cutting layer beingan exemplary embodiment cutting layer having a varying radius chamfercutting surface.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodimentcutting layer of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodimentcutting element of the present invention.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are top views of exemplary embodiment cutting elementsof the present invention.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C are perspective and cross-sectional views of anultra hard top layer having a varied geometry chamfer circumferentiallyaround the cutting edge of the working surface of the ultra hard layerwherein the size of the chamfer is varied circumferentially around thecutting edge according to one embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a graph showing the average chamfer size as varied withdifferent cutting depths for a cutter having varied chamfer as comparedto a cutter having fixed geometry chamfer,

FIG. 16 shows an ultra hard layer according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 17 shows a cutter according to one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Applicants have discovered that they can do away with the problems ofexisting cutting surfaces in a cutting element cutting layer by formingthe cutting surface portion of the cutting layer to have a continuouslyvarying radius as viewed in cross-section. The term “cutting surface” asused herein in relation to a cutting layer, refers to the surfaceportion of the cutting layer that makes contact with the material to becut, as for example the earth formation, during cutting or drilling.“Cross-section” as used herein refers to the cross-section defined by aplane along the central longitudinal axis of the cutting element.Moreover. the inventive cutting surface geometries as described hereinare formed as part of the manufacturing process of the cutting elements.

In one exemplary embodiment, as for example shown in FIG. 3, the cuttingsurface 20 is formed to have a curvature in cross-section having acontinuous varying curvature. In other words, the cutting surface isdefined by a plurality of abutting different curvature sections 22. Forillustrative purposes, each curvature section is shown bounded by twodots 24. The different curvature sections intersect each other withoutforming sharp edges. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, thecutting surface is formed from eight distinct surface curvature sections22. In an exemplary embodiment each section has a different radius ofcurvature from its abutting sections.

In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the cutting surface20 has a single chamfer 26 having a varying radius in cross-sectionwithout having any sharp edges. As shown in the exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 4, the cutting surface is defined in cross-section by aplurality of different surface curvature sections 22. In an exemplaryembodiment, each section has a different radius of curvature from itsabutting sections. The chamfer 26 in the shown exemplary embodiment isitself also formed from a plurality of abutting sections each having aradius of curvature. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the sectionsforming the chamfer 26 each have a relative large radius of curvaturebut are not flat. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the chamfer 26extends from about location 28 to about location 30 on the cuttingsurface.

In another exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the cutting surfaceis formed in cross-section from a plurality of abutting surface sectionsdefining a double chamfer, i.e., a first chamfer 32 and a second chamfer34, without any sharp edges. In the shown exemplary embodiment, thefirst chamfer 32 extends from about location 36 to about location 38 onthe cutting surface, while the second chamfer 34 extends from aboutlocation 38 to about location 40 on the cutting surface. In thisexemplary embodiment, each cutting surface section 22 has a radius ofcurvature that is different from the radii of curvature of its abuttingsections. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first and secondchamfers 32 and 34 is formed from a plurality of sections none of whichare completely flat.

In other exemplary embodiments, each chamfer, as for example chamfer 26,chamfer 32 or chamfer 34 may be formed in cross-section from one or morecurved sections abutting each other. In further exemplary embodiments,the cutting surface may have three or more chamfers where each chamferis formed in cross-section from one or more abutting curving sections.

By forming the cutting surface to have a single chamfer, a doublechamfer or other multiple chamfers and by forming the cutting surfacefrom multiple sections each having a different radius of curvature asviewed in cross-section, the cutting layer has all the advantages of acutting layer incorporating a chamfered edge as for example described inProvisional Application No. 60/566,751 on Apr. 30, 2004 and beingassigned to Smith International, Inc., as well as in the ordinaryapplication having Ser. No. 11/117,648 and filed on Apr. 28, 2005, whichclaims priority on Provisional Application No. 60/566,751. Theadvantages of chamfered edges are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,437,343 issued on Aug. 1, 1995. The contents of these provisionalapplications, ordinary applications and patent are fully incorporatedherein by reference. Thus, embodiments may also include cutters havingshaped working surfaces with a varied geometry chamfer. Referring now toFIG. 14A, FIG. 14A shows an ultra hard top layer for a cutter that has ashaped working surface 112 including a varied geometry chamfer 114circumferentially around the cutting edge 116. The bevel 114 is variedin size circumferentially around the cutting edge 116 according to oneembodiment. The change in the size or the width of the bevel isdemonstrated in the elevation section views of FIGS. 14B and 14C takenalong section lines B-B and C-C of FIG. 14A, respectively. In thisembodiment, the width 118 in FIG. 10B is smaller than the width 120 inFIG. 14C. The angle 122 of the bevel at section B-B, FIG, 14B, is thesame as angle 124 at section line C-C, FIG. 14C; however, in otherembodiments, the angle of the bevel is varied circumferentially aroundthe cutting edge. It will be understood that a varied geometry of abevel could also be provided as a combination of varied size and variedangle. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the bevel is formed sothat its size increases away from the area of the cutter surface engagedwith the geological formation. For example, referring to FIG. 15, theamount of the variable size bevel in contact with the formationincreases with the depth of cut. Thus, when the cutter digs into theformation, a greater portion of the cutting edge has a larger bevel togive more protection against chipping and spalling.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of an ultra hard top layer 140 for acutter with a shaped working surface 142 and having a varied geometrychamfer 144 circumferentially around a cutting edge 146 at theintersection of the shaped working surface 142 and a side surface 148.The shaped working surface 142 includes one or more depressions 150a150b, and 150c extending radially outwardly to the cutting edge 146.While three depressions 150a-c are depicted uniformly spaced around theshaped working surface 142, fewer or a greater number with uniform ornon-uniform spacing may be formed without departing from certain aspectsof the disclosure. For example, one or more depressions 150a-c can beformed as one or more planar surfaces or facets in a face 154.

Depending upon the embodiment, the face 154 may be a planar shapedsurface, a dome shaped surface or a surface having another shape. Thedepressions 150a-c in this embodiment comprise planar surfaces or facetseach at an obtuse angle relative to a central axis 152 of thecylindrical ultra hard top layer. The obtuse angle is different from theangle of other portions of the working surface, such that a relativedepressed area defining the depressions 150a-c is formed the face 154.Where the surrounding portions of the face 154 are planar and at a90-degree angle with respect to the axis of the cutter, the obtuse angleis generally greater than 90 degrees with respect to the axis 152 of thecutter. However, according to alternative embodiments of the invention,the obtuse angle may be less than 90 degrees. It will also be understoodthat in other alternative embodiments, each of the depressions 150a-ccan be multi-faceted or comprised of multiple planar surfaces.Alternatively, the depressions 150a-c can also be formed with simplecurved surfaces that may be concave or convex or can be formed with aplurality of curved surfaces or with a smooth complex curve.

The depressions 150a-c may be formed and shaped during the initialcompaction of the ultra hard layer 140 or can be shaped after the ultrahard layer is formed, for example by Electro Discharge Machining (EDM)or by Electro Discharge Grinding (EDG). The ultra hard layer 140 may,for example, be formed as a polycrystalline diamond compact or apolycrystalline cubic boron nitride compact. Also, in selectedembodiments, the ultra-hard layer may comprise a “thermally stable”layer. One type of thermally stable layer that may be used inembodiments may be a TSP element or partially or fully leachedpolycrystalline diamond. The depressions 150a-c extend generally at anangle relative to the face 154 outward to the edge of the cutter. It hasbeen found that a varied chamfer 144 can be conveniently made with afixed angle and fixed depth EDM or EDG device. For example, an EDMdevice will typically cut deepest into the edge 146 where the raiseareas of face 154 extend to the edge 146 and will cut less deep wherethe depressions 150a-c extend to the edge 146. The chamfer 144 is cutthe least at the lowest edge point in each depression 150a-c andprogressively deeper on either side of the lowest edge point. A variedwidth or size chamfer is conveniently formed circumferentially aroundthe edge 146 of the ultra hard cutter layer 140. Alternatively, variableor programmable angle and depth EDM or EGM can be used to form thevariable geometry chamfer. FIG. 17 shows a three-dimensional model of acutter 160 having an ultra hard layer 162 with a shaped working surface164. The ultra hard layer 162 is bonded to a substrate 166 at anon-planar interface 168 according to one embodiment of the invention.

The exemplary continuously curving cutting surface may be formed on acutting layer beginning at the substrate interface surface 12 andextending to an upper surface 42 of the cutting layer 18. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the cutting layer 18 has aperipheral surface 44 and an upper surface 42 and the inventive cuttingsurface is defined between these two surfaces. In another exemplaryembodiment, the entire outer surface of the cutting layer is formed tohave a continuous changing curvature in cross-section, i.e., the entireouter surface is formed from sections each having different radii ofcurvature. In a farther exemplary embodiment, the inventive cuttingsurface may be part of a domed shaped cutting layer 18 having a domedshaped outer surface 46, as for example shown in FIG. 6. It should benoted that the terms “upper” and “lower” are used herein for descriptivepurposes to describe relative positions and not exact positions. Forexample, a lower surface may be higher than an upper surface and viceversa.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cutting surface may be defined incross-section by at least two curvature sections. In another exemplaryembodiment, the cutting surface may be defined by thirty-five curvaturesections 22 (FIG. 14). In both of these embodiments, abutting sectionshave different radii of curvature. Applicants believe that at least two,but more likely at least three, abutting curvature sections incross-section may be required to define a cutting surface of the presentinvention. It should be understood that the varying radius cuttingsurface may be conceivably formed from an infinite number of sections incross-section where abutting sections have different radii of curvature.In certain cases the radius of curvature of a section may be very largesuch that the section is almost flat. In other exemplary embodimentssome of the sections may flat, concave or convex in cross-section. Inyet further exemplary embodiment, smooth transitional radii may beformed between adjacent sections to smooth the transition betweenadjacent sections. With either of the aforementioned exemplaryembodiments the cutting surface does not have any sharp edges incross-section.

In another exemplary embodiment, the cutting surface may be defined incross-section by sections, each section having a length in cross-sectionas measured along the surface that is in the range of about 0.003 to0.005 inch in length. In a further exemplary embodiment, the cuttingsurface is defined by four sections. In yet a further exemplaryembodiments the cutting layers on which the exemplary embodiment cuttingsurfaces are formed have a diameter in the range of 13 mm to 19 mm.

Some of the advantages provided by the exemplary embodiment cuttingelements of the present invention become more evident by comparing theinventive cutting elements to the prior art cutting elements. Forexample, compared to a 45° straight or flat chamfered surface 50 formedon a cutting layer 51 of the prior art, a chamfered surface 52 formed oncutting layer 54 with varying radius curvature according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention has increased toughness at location56 making contact with the earth formation, in comparison with the sharpedge 58 of cutting surface 50 that would make contact with the earthformation (FIG. 7). Furthermore, the angle 60 between the horizontal 62and a tangent to chamfered surface 52 of the present invention isgreater than the angle 64 between the horizontal and the 45° chamferedsurface 50. The greater angle provides for a higher cutting layercutting efficiency under normal conditions. The higher cuttingefficiency is provided because more of the varying radii chamferedsurface 52 makes contact with the earth formations as compared to astraight or flat chamfered surface 50. Furthermore in many cases amajority of the flat chamfered surface 50 may be spaced from the earthformations during cutting thereby being inefficient. Moreover, thevarying radius chamfer provides for a smooth surface which enables thecuttings created during cutting or drilling to flow freely, thusreducing the chance of such cuttings sticking to the cutting edge. Whenstuck to the cutting edge such cuttings may reduce the cuttingefficiency of the cutting edge and may cause an early failure of thecutting edge.

A varying radius cutting surface is also more efficient in cutting thana single radius cutting surface. As shown in FIG. 8, a varying radiuscutting surface edge 70 has a relatively sharper edge 72 than a singleradius cutting surface edge 74. Although relatively sharper, the edge 72is smoothly curved. In this regard the edge 72 by being sharper providesfor more aggressive cutting, while by being smoothly curved is notexposed to the high stresses that typically form on sharp edges.

A varying radius chamfer cutting surface can be configured to have amore efficient back rake angle in the chamfer area than a straightchamfer cutting surface. This is even so in cases where the straightchamfer surface interfaces with another surface of the cutting layer viaa constant radius surface. This is evident from FIG. 9 which depicts avarying radius chamfer cutting surface 80 superimposed over a straightchamber cutting surface 82 having a straight chamfer section 84interfacing with an upper surface 86 of the cutting layer via a section88 having a constant radius. As can be seen from FIG. 9, the varyingradius chamfer cutting surface 80 provides for a more efficient, i.e., agreater, back rake angle in the chamfer area such as angle 90 measuredbetween the horizontal 92 and a tangent 94 to the varying radius chamferthan the back rake angle 96 between the horizontal 92 and the straightchamfer 84 of a prior art cutting surface. This increased back rakeangle also provides better flow of cuttings.

An exemplary embodiment cutting surface of the present invention isshown in FIG. 10. Generally, radii of curvature R1, R2, and R3 shown inFIG. 10 may be interrelated as follows. R2 may be greater than R1. R3may be greater than R1. R2 can be smaller or greater than R3. Toincrease the efficiency of the cutting surface, especially at smallerdepths of cut, a distance X, which is the distance between thecircumferential surface 44 on the cutting layer and a point 98 on theupper surface 42 of the cutting layer where the varying curvaturecutting surface 20 terminates, may be reduced and R3 may be made largerthan R2. In this regard, the back rake angle 100 will be increasedincreasing cutting efficiency. In another exemplary embodiment eachradius R1, R2 and R3 is 0.003 inch or greater. R2 and R3 may be verylarge and the sections they define may be relatively flat. Transitionalradii may be formed between the sections defined by radii R1, R2 and R3to insure that there are no sharp edges. Distance Y is the distancebetween the upper surface 42 in the cutting layer and a point 99 in theperipheral surface 44 of the cutting layer wherein varying curvaturecutting surface terminates.

In another exemplary embodiment, the cutting layer may have one or morechamfers in cross-section and at least a variable radius curvaturesection in cross-section. With this exemplary embodiment, an edge thatwould otherwise be formed on the cutting surface in cross-sectionbetween two chamfers or between a chamfer and a surface of the cuttinglayer is replaced by a variable radius section in cross-section. Forexample in the exemplary embodiment disclosed in FIG. 11, either or bothof the edges that would otherwise be defined by a chamfer 110 formed onthe cutting layer 18 are replaced by variable curvature sections 112,114 which may be the same or different. In an exemplary embodiment, theedge defined by a chamfer that is positioned to make contact with aformation during cutting is replaced by a variable curvature section incross-section.

The exemplary embodiment cutting surfaces may span the entire span ofthe cutting surface. In another exemplary embodiment, the exemplaryembodiment cutting surface 20 may span around only a portion 102 of thecutting layer 18 as for example shown in FIG. 12, such that when mountedon the bit, the cutting layer is oriented such that the exemplaryembodiment cutting surface will make contact with the formation duringcutting or drilling.

In other exemplary embodiments, the cutting layer is formed having twosections 104, 106 of the cutting layer including an exemplary embodimentcutting surface. These sections may be opposite each other, for exampleshown in FIG. 13 or may be spaced apart from each other by desirableangle or circumferential distance. In another exemplary embodiment, thecutting layer may be formed with multiple sections, as for example morethan two sections, each section having an exemplary embodiment cuttingsurface. With these embodiments, the cutting element may be mounted onthe bit body such that the inventive cutting surface will make contactwith the earth formation during cutting or drilling. After the exemplaryembodiment cutting surface is worn due to cutting or drilling, thecutting element can be rotated such that another section incorporatingan exemplary embodiment cutting surface is positioned to make contactwith the formation. Furthermore, a cutting element cutting surface maybe formed with two or more sections located circumferentially around thecutting layer, each having a different geometry varying radius cuttingsurface in cross-section. In this regard, a single cutting element maybe used to cut different types of formations by orienting a differentsection of the cutting layer to make contact with the formation.

The exemplary embodiment cutting surfaces may be formed using knownmethods such as electrode discharge machining (EDM) after forming thecutting element using sintering. In other words, EDM is used to cut thecutting surface so as to leave the appropriate varying radius curvature.In other exemplary embodiments, the can in which the cutting element issintered is defined such that after sintering, the cutting layer has thedesired cutting surface shape in cross-section having the desiredvarying radius curvature. In some instances, minor machining of thecutting surface may be required.

With the exemplary embodiments cutting elements, the cutting surface maybe optimized for the type of cutting or drilling at hand by varying thevariable radius curvature in cross-section of the various sections. Inother exemplary embodiments, a section defining the varying radiuscurvature in cross-section may have a curvature opposite its adjacentsection. For example, a section may be concave in cross-section whileits adjacent section may be convex in cross-section. In other exemplaryembodiments, the entire outer surface of the cutting layer may have avarying radius curvature and no sharp edges. By forming cutting layercutting surfaces to have continuous varying radius of curvature, suchcutting layers are susceptible to less edge chipping and wear and haveincreased wear toughness.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated torespect to multiple exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to beunderstood that it is not to be so limited, since changes andmodifications may be made therein which are within the full intendedscope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shear cutter type cutting element comprising: asubstrate for mounting on a drag bit; and an ultra hard material cuttinglayer over the substrate, said cutting layer comprising a surfaceportion for making contact with a material to be cut by said cuttingelement, said surface portion in cross-section having a varyingcurvature that is formed by a plurality of adjacent sections, eachsection having a different radius of curvature than its adjacentsection, wherein the surface portion in cross-section comprises a firstsection adjacent to a second section which is adjacent a third section,wherein the first section is non-flat and comprises a first radius ofcurvature, wherein the third section is non-flat and comprises a thirdradius of curvature, wherein the second section is flatter than thefirst and third sections and wherein the third radius of curvature isgreater than the first radius of curvature, wherein the cutting layercomprises a first surface interfacing with the substrate and a secondsurface opposite the first surface, wherein the first section extendsfrom the second surface.
 2. The cutting element as recited in claim 1,wherein the first and third sections curve in the same direction incross-section.
 3. The cutting element as recited in claim 1, wherein oneof the first and third sections curves in a first direction, and whereinthe other of the first and third sections curves in a second directionopposite the first direction.
 4. The cutting element as recited in claim1, wherein the second section is flat.
 5. The cutting element as recitedin claim 1, wherein the surface portion in cross-section defines achamfer.
 6. The cutting element as recited in claim 1, wherein thesurface portion extends from a peripheral surface of the cutting layer.7. The cutting element as recited in claim 1, wherein the cutting layercomprises a first surface interfacing with the substrate, a secondsurface opposite the first surface, and a peripheral surface between thefirst and second surfaces, wherein the third section extends from theperipheral surface.
 8. The cutting element as recited in claim 1,wherein the surface portion in cross-section comprises at least 35sections, each section having a different radius of curvature than itsadjacent section.
 9. The cutting element as recited in claim 1, whereinthe second radius of curvature is greater than the third radius ofcurvature.
 10. The cutting element as recited in claim 9, wherein thesecond radius of curvature is greater than the first radius ofcurvature.
 11. A shear cutter type cutting element comprising: asubstrate for mounting on a drag bit; and an ultra hard material cuttinglayer over the substrate, said cutting layer comprising a surfaceportion for making contact with a material to be cut by said cuttingelement, said surface portion in cross-section having a varyingcurvature that is formed by a plurality of adjacent sections, eachsection having a different radius of curvature than its adjacentsection, wherein the surface portion in cross-section comprises a firstsection adjacent to a second section which is adjacent a third section,wherein the first section is non-flat and comprises a first radius ofcurvature, wherein the third section is non-flat and comprises a thirdradius of curvature, wherein the second section is flatter than thefirst and third sections and wherein the third radius of curvature isgreater than the first radius of curvature, wherein the cutting layercomprises a first surface interfacing with the substrate, a secondsurface opposite the first surface, and a peripheral surface between thefirst and second surfaces, wherein the third section extends from theperipheral surface.
 12. The cutting element as recited in claim 11,wherein the first and third sections curve in the same direction incross-section.
 13. The cutting element as recited in claim 11, whereinone of the first and third sections curves in a first direction, andwherein the other of the first and third sections curves in a seconddirection opposite the first direction.
 14. The cutting element asrecited in claim 11, wherein the second section is flat.
 15. The cuttingelement as recited in claim 11, wherein the surface portion incross-section defines a chamfer.
 16. The cutting element as recited inclaim 11, wherein the surface portion in cross-section comprises atleast 35 sections, each section having a different radius of curvaturethan its adjacent section.
 17. The cutting element as recited in claim11, wherein the second radius of curvature is greater than the thirdradius of curvature.
 18. The cutting element as recited in claim 17,wherein the second radius of curvature is greater than the first radiusof curvature.
 19. A shear cutter type cutting element comprising: asubstrate for mounting on a drag hit; and an ultra hard material cuttinglayer over the substrate, said cutting layer comprising a surfaceportion for making contact with a material to be cut by said cuttingelement, said surface portion in cross-section having a varyingcurvature that is formed by a plurality of adjacent sections, eachsection having a different radius of curvature than its adjacentsection, wherein the surface portion in cross-section comprises a firstsection adjacent to a second section which is adjacent a third section,wherein the first section is non-flat and comprises a first radius ofcurvature, wherein the third section is non-flat and comprises a thirdradius of curvature, wherein the second section is flatter than thefirst and third sections and wherein the third radius of curvature isgreater than the first radius of curvature, wherein the surface portionin cross-section comprises at least 35 sections, each section having adifferent radius of curvature than its adjacent section.
 20. The cuttingelement as recited in claim 19, wherein the second section is flat. 21.A shear cutter type cutting element, comprising: a substrate; and anultrahard layer on an end face of the substrate, the ultrahard layerincluding: a central longitudinal axis; a cylindrical peripheral sidesurface extending longitudinally from the substrate such that thecentral longitudinal axis extends longitudinally at a center of thecylindrical peripheral side surface of the ultrahard layer and thesubstrate; and a cutting surface at an upper end of the ultrahard layer,opposite the substrate and intersecting the central longitudinal axis,extending to the cylindrical peripheral side surface and forming acutting edge at its periphery, wherein the cutting surface has more thantwo sections of varying radius of curvature along a plane in which thecentral axis lies, the more than two sections located circumferentiallyaround the cutting surface and being spaced apart from one another, witha section of non-varying radius of curvature being therebetween; andwherein the varying radius of curvature are selected from flat andconvex sections.
 22. The cutter of claim 21, wherein the varying radiusof curvature include at least one convex section abutting to at leastone flat section.
 23. The cutter of claim 21, wherein the variance inthe radius of curvature terminates at a point along the cutting surfacea distance from a circumferential surface of the ultrahard layer. 24.The cutting element of claim 21, wherein a portion of the cuttingsurface, in cross-section, has a flat section.
 25. The cutting elementof claim 21, where the cutting surface is free of any sharp edges incross-section.
 26. The cutting element of claim 21, wherein a portion ofthe cutting surface at the central axis is flat and transitions into thevarying radius of curvature for the plurality of sections at a distancefrom a circumferential surface of the ultrahard layer.
 27. A fixedcutter drill bit comprising a body, blades extending from the body, andthe cutting element as recited in claim 21 mounted thereon on at leastone blade.
 28. A shear cutter type cutting element, comprising: asubstrate; and an ultrahard layer on an end face of the substrate, theultrahard layer including: a central longitudinal axis; a cylindricalperipheral side surface extending longitudinally from the substrate anddefining a periphery of the ultrahard layer; and a cutting surface at anupper end of the ultrahard layer, opposite the substrate, the cuttingsurface comprising: an upper surface intersecting the centrallongitudinal axis; and a sectional surface extending between the uppersurface and the cylindrical peripheral side surface, the sectionalsurface comprising a plurality of sections having varying radii ofcurvature along a plane in which the central axis lies; wherein thesectional surface has a different geometry in different circumferentialsections of the cutting face; and wherein the cutting surface is free ofany sharp edges in cross-section.
 29. The cutter of claim 28, whereinthe varying radius of curvature are selected from flat, convex, andconcave.
 30. The cutter of claim 29, wherein the varying radius ofcurvature include at least one convex section abutting at least one flatsection, the at least one flat section abutting at least one concavesection.
 31. The cutter of claim 28, wherein the variance in the radiusof curvature terminates at a point along the cutting surface a distancefrom a circumferential surface of the ultrahard layer.
 32. The cuttingelement of claim 28, wherein a portion of the cutting surface, incross-section, has a flat section.
 33. The cutting element of claim 28,wherein a portion of the cutting surface at the central longitudinalaxis is flat and transitions into the varying radius of curvature forthe plurality of sections at a distance from the peripheral side surfaceof the ultrahard layer.
 34. A fixed cutter drill bit comprising a body,blades extending from the body, and the cutting element as recited inclaim 28 mounted thereon on at least one blade.
 35. A shear cutter typecutting element, comprising: a substrate; and an ultrahard layer on anend face of the substrate, the ultrahard layer including: a centrallongitudinal axis; a cylindrical peripheral side surface extendinglongitudinally from the substrate such that the central longitudinalaxis extends longitudinally at a center of the cylindrical peripheralside surface of the ultrahard layer and the substrate; and a cuttingsurface at an upper end of the ultrahard layer, opposite the substrateand intersecting the central longitudinal axis, extending to theperipheral side surface and forming a cutting edge at its periphery,wherein the cutting surface has a plurality of sections of varyingradius of curvature, along a plane in which the central axis lies,wherein a portion of the cutting surface at the central longitudinalaxis is flat and transitions at a smoothly curved transition into thevarying radius of curvature of the plurality of sections at a distancefrom the peripheral side surface of the ultrahard layer, wherein theplurality of sections are located circumferentially around the cuttingsurface in spaced apart circumferential sections of the cutting surface.36. The cutter of claim 35, wherein the varying radius of curvature areselected from flat, convex, and concave.
 37. The cutter of claim 36,wherein the varying radius of curvature include at least one convexsection abutting to at least one flat section, the at least one flatsection abutting to at least one concave section.
 38. The cutter ofclaim 35, wherein the variance in the radius of curvature terminates ata point along the cutting surface a distance from a circumferentialsurface of the ultrahard layer.
 39. The cutting element of claim 35,where the cutting surface is free of any sharp edges in cross-section.40. The cutting element of claim 35, wherein the cutting surface hasmore than two sections of varying radius of curvature.
 41. A fixedcutter drill bit comprising a body, blades extending from the body, andthe cutting element as recited in claim 35 mounted thereon on at leastone blade.
 42. A shear cutter type cutting element, comprising: asubstrate; and an ultrahard layer on an end face of the substrate, theultrahard layer including: a central longitudinal axis; a cylindricalperipheral side surface extending longitudinally from the substrate anddefining a periphery of the ultrahard layer; and a cutting surface at anupper end of the ultrahard layer, opposite the substrate, the cuttingsurface comprising: an upper surface intersecting the centrallongitudinal axis; and a sectional surface extending between the uppersurface and the peripheral side surface, the sectional surfacecomprising a plurality of sections of varying radius of curvature alonga plane in which the central axis lies; wherein the plurality ofsections comprises two sections that are alternatingly positionedbetween three convex sections, wherein the two sections are flatter thanthe three convex sections; and wherein the sectional surface has adifferent geometry in adjacent circumferential sections of the cuttingface.
 43. The cutter of claim 42, wherein the varying radius ofcurvature are selected from flat, convex, and concave.
 44. The cutter ofclaim 42, wherein the two sections include a first flat section and asecond flat section, wherein the first flat section is adjacent to andbetween a first and a second of the three convex sections, wherein thesecond flat section is adjacent to and between the second convex sectionand a third of the three convex sections, and wherein the first convexsection, the second convex section, and the third convex section havedifferent radii of curvatures.
 45. The cutter of claim 42, wherein thevariance in the radius of curvature terminates at a point along thecutting surface a distance from the peripheral side surface of theultrahard layer.
 46. The cutting element of claim 42, where the cuttingsurface is free of any sharp edges in cross-section.
 47. The cuttingelement of claim 42 wherein the upper surface is flat and transitions ata smoothly curved transition into the sectional surface at a distancefrom the peripheral side surface of the ultrahard layer.
 48. The cuttingelement of claim 42, wherein the cutting surface has more than twosections of varying radius of curvature.
 49. A fixed cutter drill bitcomprising a body, blades extending from the body, and the cuttingelement as recited in claim 42 mounted thereon on at least one blade.